Hamburg on the Elbe river was once a member of the Hanseatic League and is known as Germany's "Gate to the World" on account of its busy port. However, it also has much to offer in literary terms. A tour of the metropolis on the trail of poets and writers could begin at the grave of Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock. In the 18th century, the great poet of the Enlightenment was a central figure in Hamburg's literary circles. Continuing into the city centre, you will reach the main shopping street, Monckebergstraoe, where the publishers of "Das Kapital" had their offices - Karl Marx came here specially from London to hand over his revolutionary work in person.
Today's writers and their followers meet in the "Literature Cafo" on the Outer Alster, where they can enjoy reading and discussing in tasteful surroundings. In the evenings, at the "Poetry Slam", the town's clubs and cabarets belong to the untamed younger generation. Anyone who likes can present their work here, but their time is limited to a few minutes, after which the audience decides which of them may, for one night, feel like a prince among poets.
Tourist Information Hamburg
St. Pauli Landungsbrocken
Postfach 10 22 49
20015 Hamburg
Tel: +49(0)40- 30051110
Fax +49(0)40-30051333
Additional sources of information:
Literarische Stadtrundgonge / Literary Walks c/o Stattreisen Hamburg
Bartelsstr. 12
20357 Hamburg
Tel.: +49(0)40-4303481
Fax.: +49(0)40-4307429
Literaturhauscafo
Schwanenwik 38
22087 Hamburg
Tel.: +49(0)40-2201300
Fax: +49(0)40-2273765
Molotow
Spielbudenplatz 5
20359 Hamburg
Tel.: +49(0)40-4301110
Fax.: +49(0)40-43254595
Radisson SAS
Marseiller Str. 2
20355 Hamburg
Tel: +49(4)-35020
Fax: +49(0)40-350213530